PRO-glio investigates what is best: radiation with photons or protons. PRO-glio is a Norwegian/Swedish study. It investigates whether radiation with protons or photons is more effective for IDH-mutated diffuse gliomas in grades II and III. Malin Blomstrand is a senior physician at Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg and leads the study in Sweden. "We will examine patients who have received proton and photon radiation to see if there is any difference in cognitive abilities, such as memory and learning. We will also study the occurrence of extreme fatigue, known as fatigue. Our hope is that the results will show when one treatment method is preferable," she said in a statement on the Skandion Clinic's website. Unlike traditional X-ray and electron radiation, which pass straight through the body and therefore also damage healthy tissue, the energy of a proton beam can be adjusted to reach a specific depth. In this way, the radiation can be concentrated on the tumor itself, and the radiation dose can be increased without increasing the risk of side effects. Photon therapy is a high-energy X-ray radiation that works in a similar way. More information about PRO-glio Cancercentrum.se: PRO-glio Skandionkliniken.se

Sonobird aims to help medications cross the blood-brain barrier using ultrasound. Sonobird is a phase three study investigating whether recurrent glioblastoma can be treated with the help of ultrasound. Sonocloud is implanted at the tumor site. Photo: Carthera The study uses a device called Sonocloud, which is implanted into the brain to more effectively deliver chemotherapy directly into the tumor. The Sonobird study compares treatment with Sonocloud in combination with carboplatin to standard care, including lomustine or temozolomide, in patients who have experienced a first recurrence of glioblastoma and are scheduled for planned surgery. Opens the blood-brain barrier Sonocloud uses ultrasound technology and is specially developed to temporarily open the difficult-to-penetrate blood-brain barrier in the area around the tumor. The blood-brain barrier is located at the level of the blood vessel walls. It protects the brain from toxic or inflammatory molecules but also prevents most drugs injected into the bloodstream from entering the brain tissue where the tumor is located. Mer information om Sonobird Sonobird.eu UNC: New multinational brain tumor clinical trial

Professor Magnus Essand is testing whether CAR-T can be effective against glioblastoma. Photo: Magnus Wallerstedt/Uppsala University Can the body's immune system be modified to destroy glioblastoma? This is being investigated by Magnus Essand and his colleagues at Uppsala University. Immunotherapy involves using the body's own immune system to destroy cancer cells. A relatively new form of immunotherapy is CAR-T. This involves genetically modifying the immune system's T-cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. This type of treatment has previously been used successfully for blood cancers. Magnus Essand and his research team at Uppsala University are now investigating whether this treatment method can also work for glioblastoma. More information about CAR-T for glioblastoma Uppsala Universitet: Cancerimmunterapi Uppsala Universitet: Magnus Essands forskning Barncancerfonden: Magnus Essand om CAR-T

Giuseppe Stragliotto, senior physician at New Karolinska, may soon complete Vigas-2. A medication originally intended for something entirely different may help prevent the progression of glioblastoma. Senior physician Giuseppe Stragliotto is leading the study at New Karolinska. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a type of herpesvirus that 70-90 percent of the world's population carries in a latent form in their body. The virus can reactivate if the immune system is weakened and may contribute to the development of various types of cancer. In previous studies, it has been found that CMV is present in about 90 percent of all tumors in the breast, colon, prostate, and brain. The virus causes tumors to grow faster. However, with the antiviral drug Valganciclovir, it has been possible to slow down the growth of cancer. Positive result Valganciclovir is now being tested on patients with glioblastoma, with the hope of slowing down the disease. The study is called Vigas 2 and is led by Giuseppe Stragliotto at New Karolinska, Sweden. No new participants will be enrolled for 2025, as the study is expected to be completed by 2026. "We already have a positive result, but we cannot yet say if it is solely due to the antiviral treatment," says Giuseppe Stragliotto. "We already have a positive result" When looking at a group of more than 150 glioblastoma patients treated with valganciclovir, the treatment appears to more than double the patient's chance of surviving two years after diagnosis. The treatment is well-tolerated and causes few side effects. All patients in the study receive treatment (valganciclovir or placebo) for two years. The definitive results, evaluating tumor progression, survival, and quality of life, will be complete by the end of 2026. The Foundation Mission; cure cancer accepts donations for the continued research at New Karolinska. More information about Vigas 2 Cancerstudier i Sverige A double blind randomised trial with add-on of Valganciclovir or placebo to standard therapy of newly diagnosed Glioblastoma Stenastiftelsen: Kan ett nyupptäckt virus verkligen förklara uppkomsten av cancer? Clinical Cancer Research: Valganciclovir as add on to standard therapy Pub Med: Poor survival in glioblastoma patients is associated with early signs of immunosenescence in the CD4 T-cell compartment after surgery Pub Med Central: Human cytomegalovirus in cancer: the mechanism of HCMV-induced carcinogenesis and its therapeutic potential